Australia postage stamps NSW, Victoria, Queensland year 1860 – 1900

Between 1860 and 1900, the Australian colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland each issued their own postage stamps, reflecting their status as separate postal systems before Federation.

New South Wales (NSW)

• NSW was the first Australian colony to operate a postal service and issued its first postage stamps on January 1, 1850. These early stamps are known as the “Sydney Views,” featuring the colony’s seal of 1792 with an allegorical female figure symbolizing industry and convict reform.
• Stamp designs evolved over time, including various watermarks, perforations, and color varieties. The first perforated stamps appeared in 1860.
• NSW issued commemorative stamps in 1888 for its 100th anniversary, featuring designs such as Sydney views, Captain Cook, and native animals.
• Semi-postal stamps appeared in 1897, and stamps marking Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee were also issued that year.
• The NSW stamps were superseded by Australian Commonwealth stamps in 1913, but the colony’s stamps remain collectible with many varieties.

Victoria

• Victoria began issuing stamps slightly earlier than Queensland, starting on January 3, 1850, when it was still known as the Port Phillip District7.
• Victoria’s stamps followed the colonial trend of featuring Queen Victoria and other allegorical or local designs. Detailed information on Victoria’s specific issues from 1860 to 1900 was not found in the search results but would be consistent with other colonies’ practices of the era.

Queensland

• Queensland issued its first stamps on November 1, 1860, initially using designs portraying Queen Victoria, except for two stamps in 1903 and 1907 featuring allegorical figures of Australia.
• Before 1860, Queensland used New South Wales stamps.
• Between 1880 and 1892, revenue stamps were authorized for postal use.
• Queensland stamps included various denominations and perforations, with some rare and valuable issues such as the 1860 6d green Queen Victoria stamp.
• Queensland stamps were replaced by Australian Commonwealth stamps in 1913.

In summary, from 1860 to 1900, NSW, Victoria, and Queensland each had distinct postage stamp issues, mostly featuring Queen Victoria, with unique designs and varieties reflecting their colonial identities. These stamps are historically significant and collectible today, with many specialized varieties and commemoratives issued during this period